| Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors Authority: The Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) is authorized by Section 156 of Public Law 97-377 and restores certain Social Security benefits that were terminated or phased out under amendments to the Social Security Act in 1981. Eligibility: Certain surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans who died on active duty before August 13, 1981, or who died of a service-connected condition incurred before August 13, 1981, have potential eligibility to REPS benefits. Payments: REPS benefits are payable from the "date of first eligibility" whenever the claim is received by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). The month of "first eligibility" for REPS will vary. For a surviving spouse claimant, it is generally the month the youngest child in custody turns age 16. For a child claimant, it begins with the month full-time enrollment in post-secondary education Cost of Living Adjustments: Cost of living adjustments (COLAs) are computed from information in the veteran's Social Security record as of August 1981 or the date of the veteran's death (if the veteran died after August 1981). The COLA percentages for surviving spouse beneficiaries are the same as those approved for USDVA Dependence and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). COLA percentages for child beneficiaries are the same as those approved for USDVA Dependents Education Assistance Benefits (Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code). The percentages are not based on the Social Security COLA. Therefore, the amount restored by REPS will not necessarily equal the amount one would have received from Social Security. Benefit Checks: REPS benefit checks are issued on the first of the month and represent the amount due for the preceding month. REPS payments are identified as "VA REP BEN" on the check. If no longer entitled to REPS benefits, the benefit checks should be returned. Any REPS overpayments must be repaid and are subject to collection including from, but not limited to, other USDVA benefits. Reporting Requirements: Factors that might affect entitlement to REPS benefits are detailed in the linked pages below. Notice of any changes that affects REPS entitlement must be promptly reported to: Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors
Regional Office (331/21Q)
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
400 South 18th Street Saint Louis, Missouri 63103-2271 314.589.9803
Telefacsimile: 314.589.9703 | Surviving Children Beneficiary Information General: Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) benefits are payable to unmarried children between ages 18 and 22 who are full-time students at approved post-secondary educational institutions. Benefits are awarded on the basis of an education institution's academic year. The academic year at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) begins with the first day of class in the Fall semester. A Student Beneficiary Report - REPS (VA Form 21-8938) is required each year before eligibility is extended for the following academic year. Students seeking an enrollment certification should submit their Student Beneficiary Report with Section I, Student Identification, if blank, incomplete or incorrect, and Section II, Student Certification, completed to ETSU Veterans Affairs. Do not enter any information in Section III, School Official Certification, or a new form will be required. The certification will be mailed and a copy of the form kept with the student's record, if any, in Veterans Affairs. Breaks in School Attendance: Full-time attendance can be deemed to continue over breaks in attendance that do not exceed four calendar months. Therefore, REPS is generally payable during summer vacations between academic years. If a student does not enroll or attends on a part-time basis for more than four months, there is a break in REPS benefits eligibility. Effective Date of Payments: Benefits may be paid from the month in which a student first satisfies all REPS eligibility requirements whenever the claim is received by the USDVA. If a student is not enrolled full-time for more than four months, the REPS claim must be reopened when the student returns to a full-time enrollment. Factors Affecting Surviving Children's Entitlement Marriage: REPS benefit entitlement ends effective the first of the month of marriage. Less Than Full-time Student: If a student's enrollment in an educational institution falls below full-time, REPS enrollment ends effective the last day of the month during which the reduction or termination occurred. Reductions to part-time enrollment must be reported to the REPS program office. The student should indicate whether they intend to return to full-time status and when they expect such to occur. Earned Income from Wages or Self Employment: REPS benefits are reduced by one dollar for each two dollars of earned income over the exempt amount for Social Security. The exempt amount of wages is announced at the beginning of each calendar year. The current annual exempt amount can be obtained by contacting the Social Security Administration's office. Re-entitlement to Any Social Security Benefit: If a surviving child establishes entitlement to Social Security benefits on their own or any other account, the student must notify the USDVA immediately since it will cause a dollar for dollar reduction in the REPS benefits entitlement. If another family member re-establishes entitlement to Social Security, REPS benefit entitlement may change. | Surviving Spouse Beneficiary Information General: The 1981 changes to the Social Security Act eliminated the "parent with child in care" benefit when a surviving spouse's last child in care attains age 16. Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) restores the benefit until the youngest child in the surviving parent's care reaches age 18 unless entitlement is established under some other provision of the Social Security Act. Even if entitlement is established to other Social Security benefits, the surviving spouse may still be able to receive some REPS benefits as long as the Social Security entitlement is less than the amount entitled under REPS. There is a dollar for dollar reduction. Factors Affecting Surviving Spouse's Entitlement Marriage: If the surviving spouse should marry, entitlement to REPS ends effective the first day of the month of marriage. Child No Longer in Care: If the child leaves custody of the surviving spouse, or marries or dies, the surviving spouse's entitlement to REPS ends effective the first day of the month of the event. Earned Income from Wages or Self Employment: REPS benefits are reduced by one dollar for each two dollars of earned income over the exempt amount for Social Security. The exempt amount of wages is announced at the beginning of each calendar year. The current annual exempt amount can be obtained by contacting the Social Security Administration office. | | |
